Beefy's Corner - The Off-Topic Chat Thread
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I suppose I should say that I saw the documentary a couple of years ago. The chap has been operated on several times and his hands and face are a lot better these days. He still has the condition of course.
EDIT: Looked up recent news and it may be that his condition has been cured. Maybe..!
If you like boxing get prizefighter on, Matty Tew fighting in a minute and he is a massive Saints fan! Come on Tewy!!!
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I am, but I also accept its a tough one.
Bairstow is comfortably the more talented batsmen, and very much has age on his side. I can see a long international career for him. However he's had very little batting in recent weeks, due to carrying the drinks in the Champions Trophy.
Compton is a limited batsmen, with no significant future in test cricket in my view. He also does not fit in with Cook and Trott, as it leaves us with a very slow and stodgy top order. However he has been playing regular cricket, and hardly let himself down away to India or NZ.
James Taylor would have my pick, hands down - if Root has to be moved up to open. The lad is a real talent, has been playing regular for Notts in all formats, and has had his first taste of test cricket last summer so wouldn't be walking into the compete unknown.
Alternatively, I'd have also picked Taylor if they'd have been willing to try Bell as an opener. The guy is going through a bit of poor form in the middle order, and moving Root from 6 is a risk.
If no-one was to be moved up the order to open, then Compton probably would have been our option. Chopra, Hales and Carberry are both having poor first class seasons, Adams' chance has come and gone, Stoneman probably isn't ready yet (and may never be good enough) etc etc.
Indeed, I feel pretty much the same. Compton is 'solid' but Bairstow has already demonstrated more ability than Compton despite being seven years his junior, he might not get as many runs as Compton would but he also wont use up as many deliveries and will stand us in better stead going forwards. A bit of a luxury but one with Cook and Trott that we can afford, and a necessary one, Australia are the perfect demonstration of what happens when you don't plan for the future.
Bell is a pickle too, his talents aren't really be utilised to the fullest at the moment, I think Pietersen back will help him. One of those 'this many centuries in this many games' stats that I think is unfair when it comes to him of late though, a lot of long 50-90s batting out to save innings or a match like in Auckland, or batting with the tail or one of the young Yorkshire duo, and if it's a good pitch he doesn't get a bat as the top three will bat out the first 150 overs!
Indeed, I feel pretty much the same. Compton is 'solid' but Bairstow has already demonstrated more ability than Compton despite being seven years his junior, he might not get as many runs as Compton would but he also wont use up as many deliveries and will stand us in better stead going forwards. A bit of a luxury but one with Cook and Trott that we can afford, and a necessary one, Australia are the perfect demonstration of what happens when you don't plan for the future.
Bell is a pickle too, his talents aren't really be utilised to the fullest at the moment, I think Pietersen back will help him. One of those 'this many centuries in this many games' stats that I think is unfair when it comes to him of late though, a lot of long 50-90s batting out to save innings or a match like in Auckland, or batting with the tail or one of the young Yorkshire duo, and if it's a good pitch he doesn't get a bat as the top three will bat out the first 150 overs!
I'm generally very into my stats, so I found this BBC article an alright read http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/23167201
In particular, it does highlight Bell's decline in the past 18 months. Yes, as the article highlights, we have some some tricky series in that time - particularly on the sub continent - but Cook, Trott and KP have still managed to average over 40.
And going back to my brief mention of Collingwood yesterday, the article also highlights the number of different players we've tried since his international retirement. None made the no.6 spot their own until Root right now, and that is largely why I have some concerns about moving him to open. A different type of player to Collingwood of course, but at least we finally had our no.6. Considering how high the ECB's hopes for Morgan were, it's slightly incredible how far down the pecking order he now he is (but rightly so).
Bell has always had a touch of the Mark Waughs about him. Can look beautiful, almost disdainful at times, has all the shots, can play beautiful innings... but also has a tendency to look in good touch and then get out in an irritatingly complacent way.
And frustratingly, James Vince is going the same way (if you exclude his general bad run of form right now, that everyone goes through). Such an attractive looking young shot maker - unlike so many of generation, who are either all about the power, or all about modern shots and 360 degrees batting - but just gets himself out suddenly, often early on, during a beautiful innings.
It has to be a mental thing.
To be fair though Cook, Trott and KP have much better opportunities to help their averages than Bell does, which is why I rarely put much weight behind averages, especially for those who bat different positions. Bell definitely has the most work to do though, but the management also has to figure out how to use him most effectively, personally think he should go back down to 6 really.
*EDIT* Also every time you say the name Collingwood it makes me tear up. ;(
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